Gainesville FL vs Lake Charles LA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Lake Charles, LA
Louisiana · Population: 81,679
- Median HH Income$56,864
- Median Home Price$204,081
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gainesville
143,611
Gainesville +
Lake Charles
81,679
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gainesville
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Median Age
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Lake Charles
36.2
Foreign Born
Gainesville
12.1%
Gainesville +
Lake Charles
4.7%
White
Gainesville
59.2%
Gainesville +
Lake Charles
47.3%
Black
Gainesville
21.6%
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Asian
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
Lake Charles
2.6%
Hispanic
Gainesville
13.4%
Gainesville +
Lake Charles
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Gainesville
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,611 | 81,679 | Gainesville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 36.2 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 4.7% | Gainesville + |
| White | 59.2% | 47.3% | Gainesville + |
| Black | 21.6% | 42.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 2.6% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 13.4% | 4.7% | Gainesville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gainesville
$45,611
Lake Charles
$56,864
Lake Charles +
Per Capita Income
Gainesville
$30,282
Lake Charles
$35,847
Lake Charles +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gainesville
$65,328
Gainesville +
Lake Charles
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Gainesville
4.8%
Gainesville +
Lake Charles
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Gainesville
28.0%
Lake Charles
23.2%
Lake Charles +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
Lake Charles
29.4%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,611 | $56,864 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,282 | $35,847 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $55,297 | Gainesville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 5.5% | Gainesville + |
| Poverty Rate | 28.0% | 23.2% | Lake Charles + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 29.4% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gainesville
$299,633
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Gainesville
38.5%
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,633 | $204,081 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 61.1% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
324
Gainesville +
Lake Charles
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
Lake Charles
2824
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 643 | Gainesville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2824 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
31.2%
Gainesville +
Lake Charles
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Lake Charles
16.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gainesville
21.3%
Lake Charles
19.7%
Lake Charles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
13.9%
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
17.8%
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
11.8%
Gainesville +
Lake Charles
18.0%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 45.6% | Gainesville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 16.2% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 19.7% | Lake Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 9.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 15.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 18.0% | Gainesville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
68.9°F
Lake Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
47.3 in
Gainesville +
Lake Charles
62.4 in
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 62.4 in | Gainesville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gainesville
75.0%
Lake Charles
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gainesville
20.1 min
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 19.0 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lake Charles leads in median household income at $56,864, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Gainesville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Gainesville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Gainesville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gainesville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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